Local female pugilist Rollen Muleba has promised to win the national boxing title and bring it to the Vhembe District next week. Muleba will challenge Razel Mohammed in the SA National Cruiser-weight title fight to be held at the Centenary Hall in East London on 27 August.

Speaking to Limpopo Mirror after training on Monday morning, Muleba said that she had been preparing very hard for this fight. “Nothing will stop me from winning the championship,” she said.

Muleba said her aim was firmly set on becoming a world champion. “This fight is just a steppingstone for me. I can feel it in my heart that I will bring the world championship belt to Limpopo,” she added.

Rollen is also the younger sister of local female boxing champion Ryder Muleba. She said she was influenced by her elder sister to participate in boxing. “I used to see her training every morning, and one day I joined her when she was doing her roadwork, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today she is my best sparring partner. She will be here this week to work with me during sparring sessions. With her on my side, nobody can stop us,” she said.

Her boxing trainer and manager, Mr John Nemakonde, said Muleba was one of the best boxers in his boxing club. “She is a hard worker and is also very talented. I am confident that she will bring back the national championship title next week,” he said.

One setback for Nemakonde is the fact that they do not have sponsors. “Journalists in this country are interested in football stories. They don’t report much about boxing. So, big corporates cannot spend money on boxing because they will not get the opportunity to market their products on television and newspapers. We don’t even have money to travel to Johannesburg for the championship fight next week,” he said.

Meanwhile, two boxers from Nemakonde’s stable will make their professional debut at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Hall in Seshego this coming Saturday. Tsumbedzo Mbedzi will fight against Talent Moyo, while Nhlangano Maluleke will exchange blows with Lukhoxolo Mabece.